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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
08:03
Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: December 1, 2016
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A pH-Activatable nanoparticle for dual-stage precisely mitochondria-targeted photodynamic anticancer therapy
Tong Qi1, Binlong Chen2, Zenghui Wang2
1State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Biomaterials
|May 28, 2019
Summary
This study introduces novel nanoparticles for mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT). These nanoparticles improve cancer treatment by enhancing endosome escape and reducing normal tissue damage, leading to effective tumor inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective against tumors.
- Limitations include poor endosome escape and normal tissue damage from always-ON photosensitizers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop pH-activatable nanoparticles with dual-stage targeting (early endosome and mitochondria).
- Enhance fluorescent signals and photodynamic efficacy for improved cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Created pH-responsive nanoparticles (M-TPPa) using mPEG-b-PDPA-Cy7.5 and photosensitizer TPPa.
- Evaluated nanoparticle performance in acidic environments and in vitro/in vivo cancer models.
Main Results:
- M-TPPa showed significant enhancement in fluorescence (111-fold) and singlet oxygen generation (151-fold) in acidic conditions.
- Nanoparticles effectively targeted cancer cells, escaped endosomes, localized to mitochondria, and induced apoptosis.
- Demonstrated high tumor imaging contrast and tumor progression inhibition in mice with minimal toxicity.
Conclusions:
- The designed nanoparticles offer precise dual-organelle targeting and theranostic signal amplification.
- This strategy shows promise for efficient and targeted cancer therapy with reduced side effects.
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